Sport NI’s Thomas Kane goes behind the scenes at the Stade de France ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 opener against Sweden.
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Like the unpopular kid who is the only one in school not invited to Charlene McClatchy’s epic 16th birthday house party, Scotland have been left watching on from afar nursing a bruised ego while Gladys Knight’s It Should Have Been Me plays like some soul-crushing lament in the background.
“The team that wins this game has a very good chance of progressing”, Sweden coach Erik Hamren told Reuters recently.
As well as looking to help his team advance in the competition, Ibrahimovic is aiming for two scoring records.
Seamus Coleman has had a very good season with Everton, and in qualifying matches, Richard Keogh looked every bit as reliable at the back as one of his immediate predecessors, Richard Dunne.
Of course, for many, finances will come into play and it may be a case of staying until the last euro is gone.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference yesterday, Republic boss Martin O’Neill said: “I have a team in mind, but I don’t see any harm in deliberating on certain things”.
In the countdown to their opening game at Euro 2016, Sweden’s players have been subjected to a poll.
Irish President Michael D Higgins, a known football fan, was among the crowd in the French capital’s packed Stade de France for the 1-1 draw.
“I feel really strong”.
Clark enjoyed a stroke of good fortune from the resulting set-piece when his efforts to clear the ball nearly went spectacularly wrong, and it took a fine save by Randolph to keep out his miscued hack.
However, asked why he intends to extend his career despite all his achievements, the self-proclaimed legend said: “Because the legend can still deliver”. You have got to have the hunger to become a better player. Back in ’96, I was delighted to play one game for Ireland, so to think I am still here 20 years later is phenomenal.
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Today’s game could go a long way towards determining their Group E fate, with seemingly tougher fixtures against Belgium and Italy to follow. I demand of myself that I will work hard on the pitch and practise and won;t just sit down and do nothing.
